Beginning February 13, 2019, preview performances of Be More Chill started at the Longacre Theatre. We were fortunate that two new staff members from At Broadway were invited. Set in a high school, this comedy follows a quiet gamer who takes a mysterious pill invented in Japan and suddenly becomes popular at school.
At first, we had never even heard of the title and one of us was a complete beginner with English, so we wondered if we could enjoy it with only minimal background info. Here is our honest report on Be More Chill.
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Be More Chill synopsis
One day he takes a cutting edge pill called the SQUIP (Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor) and his personality flips, turning him into someone outgoing and confident, the very opposite version of him. The price is high, though. This is a coming of age story that mixes friendship, romance, and family with a dash of sci-fi humor.
For the synopsis and highlights of Be More Chill, see the detailed page below.
About the performance venue
Lyceum Theatre
Other New York landmarks in the Beaux Arts tradition include the American Museum of Natural History and the New Amsterdam Theatre, home to Aladdin.
Address: 149 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
For history, architecture, and seating features, visit the venue page below.
From entry to your seat
It was a chilly March evening, but the line moved efficiently and we were inside within 10 minutes thanks to organized crowd control.
As with all Broadway houses, there is a routine bag check. Avoid bringing large items.
Don’t miss the small official merchandise counter immediately to the right after entering. Items play on key lines from the show and the SQUIP concept. On the left is the bar if you want a pre show drink.
Our seats for this performance
How to read the ticket: MEZZO C 7
With roughly 1,000 seats spread over three levels, the Lyceum has a fairly steep rake above the main floor, so most seats offer a clear view of the full stage.
Legroom feels comparable to economy class on a plane, but not cramped. The runtime is about 2 hours 15 minutes with one intermission.
Recommended seats: front orchestra
The contrast between the historic interior and the modern, neon edged stage frame is memorable. It is a look you will want to take in from nearby.
After-show thoughts on Be More Chill
One of our attendees was a complete beginner with English, yet kept saying it was more fun than expected. The dialogue includes teen humor and slang, which can be tricky, but frequent scene changes make the plot easy to follow.
Keep two ideas in mind and you will enjoy it even more: 1. an outsider comedy and 2. a heartfelt coming of age story.
1. An outsider comedy with gamer vibes
The protagonist is a teen obsessed with Nintendo games. The much discussed SQUIP pill comes with the catchy lyric line “It is from Japan” in the show, which makes the device feel both quirky and familiar in pop culture terms.
Watch for Michael, the loyal best friend. He never takes the pill and stays true to himself. His solo Michael in the Bathroom earns huge applause, and his late show heroics are especially satisfying.
2. A relatable coming of age story
As in other youth centered shows like Dear Evan Hansen or Mean Girls, many characters wrestle with insecurity and social pressure. Jeremy reaches for the SQUIP because of those fears, while friends around him face their own challenges and grow. With awkwardness in friendship, family, and romance, their struggles feel universal and easy to empathize with.
Even without fluent English, the keywords, physical comedy, and expressive performances make the humor land. The show rose to prominence through social media buzz among Gen Z and achieved strong box office results. It might be an unexpected gem. it is great for first timers and a smart pick for anyone choosing a second Broadway show.
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